while the base from an antenna trombone are similar sizes let's look at a few key differences that distinguish the two both instruments are pitched in b-flat but the bass trombone tends to have a larger Bell and a larger bore size nowadays most bass trombones have two valves but there are still some single valve bass trombones if you compare these instruments side-by-side you'll see that they're actually quite similar bass trombones with a single valve operate the same way as a tenor trombone with an F attachment if you're unsure of what an F attachment does please watch my other video with the addition of the second valve a bass trombone is now fully chromatic all the way down to the lowest b-flat on the piano unlike the tenor trombone the bass trombone does not have standard tunings of the second valve among all makes and models there are two main types of double valve bass trombones there's the independent and the dependent this instrument is an independent double valve bass trombone independent means that both of the valves can be used independently of each other and do not require the other a dependent bass trombone has the second bow placed inside of the first valves tubing this means that the second valve cannot be used on its own and can only be used in conjunction with the first valve both independent and dependent valve based trombones are used by professionals and is generally just personal preference there are also different tunings of the second valve this instrument has a second valve pitched at G flat and when both valves are combined they produce D you will also find bass runs with a second bow that's pitched at G and combines with the first valve to an e-flat these two tunings are by far the most common on a modern bass trombone let's talk a little bit about bass trombone mouthpieces while I can take my tenor trombone mouthpiece from a large shape bone and place it in a bass trombone this may not always be the best option there is no hard and fast rule that determines a bass trombone mouthpiece size but generally speaking it is larger than a tenor trombone mouthpiece a common question that comes up with the bass trombone is when should you switch a student to bass trombone there's not a clear-cut answer for this but as music gets more difficult a bass trombone player is a necessity in a trombone section while the bass trombone is typically voiced at the bottom of the trombone section it is still responsible for playing some of the same high notes that the tenor trombones are responsible for as the main tubing of the bass trombone is the same as the tenor trombone there is no technical limitation on high range although as the instrument is larger it can be more difficult to produce these higher pitches that being said advanced bass trombone literature can sometimes go as high as tenor trombone literature if you liked this video or found it helpful please like subscribe and click the bell as well as visit my web site for low brass tutorials and other educational resources